The Buffalo Payments have landed their new beginning middle in Will Clapp, previously of the Los Angeles Chargers. Ari Meirov reported the signing via X.
Clapp was initially drafted within the seventh spherical by the New Orleans Saints, spending the 2018 to 2021 seasons with the group.
Throughout his time with the Saints, Clapp was juggled round from showing in video games as a starter, being waived, and being added to the follow squad. In the course of the 2020 season, Clapp was signed to the follow squad on September 26 and 29, earlier than being added to the energetic roster on October 3.
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He could be activated from the follow squad on October 24, October 31, November 28, and December 5.
His 2021 season with the Saints was a lot of the identical, as he landed on injured reserve in early September, was waived in October, promoted to the energetic roster in November, and waived and added to the follow squad in December.
In April of 2022, the Los Angeles Charger signed Clapp. After a 12 months with the group, he resigned in April 2023. Clapp turned the beginning middle for the Chargers in Week 4 of the 2023 season when starter Corey Linsley was pulled from enjoying because of a season-ending well being subject.
Clapp might have had a troubled begin within the NFL, however he’s a strong starter. He solely dedicated two penalties within the 2023 season and took 75% of the snap depend within the middle place.
Clapp would be the Payments beginning middle and can be backed up by Alec Anderson, who usually performs on the guard place. Regardless of having two facilities on the present depth chart, Buffalo will nonetheless have to deal with the place within the draft.
Anderson doesn’t usually play middle, and would doubtless be shifted over in emergencies. Having a veteran presence like Clapp will assist to alleviate the considerations the Payments would have had on the OL.
It’s paramount to guard Josh Allen, and having a shaky offensive line could be a detriment to Allen’s offensive capabilities. Whereas he is without doubt one of the purest arms within the NFL, he doesn’t are likely to do nicely beneath strain from defenders.
Once more, the Payments are more likely to handle the offensive line place within the draft, however they’ll breathe slightly simpler after bringing in Clapp on a one-year deal. The Payments choose #28 general within the first spherical, and they might be fortunate if a middle like Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson have been to fall to that place.
They might all the time discover buying and selling up, however they’d additionally do nicely with Duke’s Graham Barton or West Virginia’s Zach Frazier. Both manner, the Payments have a viable starter in Clapp.
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Newsweek is dedicated to difficult standard knowledge and discovering connections within the seek for widespread floor.
Newsweek is dedicated to difficult standard knowledge and discovering connections within the seek for widespread floor.
